Big things went down on Saturday, August 19, 2023 in the world of Spartan DEKA. Everything from top performances in DEKA STRONG here in the US to the first ever DEKA FIT event across the pond in Lancashire, UK. Let’s recap the events.
First DEKA FIT in the UK
The UK is home to a small handful of DEKA affiliate gyms, and has hosted DEKA STRONG and DEKA MILE events earlier this year. But for the first time ever, athletes stepped foot in the DEKA FIT arena to test their fitness. Only this time, the arena was outside of the Clitheroe Castle 🏰, a medieval castle built in the twelfth century.
Being held outside, which is unusual for DEKA FIT events, the times would obviously be a little slower. Athletes dealt with temperatures in the mid-60s (Fahrenheit), 70-80% humidity, and winds between 20-30mph. Not to mention, running and pushing/pulling a sled in the grass is considerably harder than on a concrete floor.
Colin Stiefer and Kevin Gregory go 11:28 on DEKA STRONG
At separate gyms, Colin & Kevin each put down an impressive 11:28 DEKA STRONG time, which is the third fastest time this year. Kevin already holds the second fastest time this year with an 11:11. Clearly, something was wrong with him today 😂. Watch out for both of these guys at the DEKA World Championships in December.
Colin has been on a tear in the hybrid racing world over the past few months.
In March, he got 2nd place at his first ever DEKA FIT in Knoxville, TN
In May, he won the HYROX World Championship for Men’s Doubles with his partner, Taylor Haney, in a time of 54:29.
In June, he won DEKA FIT Carolinas
Both Kevin & Colin have top 20 times for DEKA STRONG and DEKA MILE, and Colin is sitting in 5th place worldwide with his 30:46 performance at DEKA FIT Carolinas.
Heather finished 5th at last year’s DEKA World Championships in DEKA STRONG, so she’s no stranger to putting up fast times. She took 24 seconds off her time in Atlantic City last year, and put up an 11:10, good enough for 10th place overall female so far this year. At last year’s Worlds, that would have been good enough for a third place finish.
It looks like she’ll earn a spot in the top 20 at World Championships again this year.
